Increased podophyllotoxin production in Podophyllum hexandrum cell suspension cultures after feeding coniferyl...

Cell suspension cultures, derived from roots of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle (Berberidaceae), accumulate podophyllotoxin. In this study the use of β-cyclodextrin in feeding the poorly water-soluble precursor coniferyl alcohol to these cultures is described. By complexation with β-cyclodextrin, a solution of 3 mM coniferyl alcohol could be fed, resulting in enhanced podophyllotoxin accumulation. The same concentration of non-complexed suspended coniferyl alcohol had only little effect on the podophyllotoxin accumulation. β-Cyclodextrin itself was proven to be non-toxic for the cells. It did not influence the podophyllotoxin content and it was not metabolized or used as a carbon source by the cells. For comparison, coniferin, the water-soluble β-D-glucoside of coniferyl alcohol, was also fed in the same concentration. The effect of coniferin on the podophyllotoxin accumulation was stronger than that of coniferyl alcohol complexed with β-cyclodextrin, but coniferin is not commercially available.